# NTSB ERA14CA215: Schleicher Alexander K 7, N1002Z, Benton, TN, April 27, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 27, 2014, 14:40 local (18:40 UTC)
- Place: Benton, TN
- Coordinates: 35.222499, -84.584442 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2225&lon=-84.5844&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 9, 2014
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 89146
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA215
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89146/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89146
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA215

## Probable cause

The pilot's distraction with traffic on the runway, and his subsequent failure to retract the air brakes prior to touchdown, which resulted in a hard landing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schleicher Alexander K 7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=3801551), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: configuration](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Schleicher Alexander K 7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017/cases.md?model=3801551), [All aircraft, 80 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: attention](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schleicher Alexander K 7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md?model=3801551), [All aircraft, 226 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Schleicher Alexander K 7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=3801551), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)

## Analysis

In a statement to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the pilot of the glider stated that he was on final approach for landing with the air brakes deployed when he observed another glider on the runway. He raised the nose of his glider to clear the other glider, but did not retract the air brakes, which resulted in a hard landing. The pilot sustained serious injuries. Postaccident examination by an FAA inspector revealed minor damage to the glider's tail skid, and no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

In a statement to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the pilot of the glider stated that he was on final approach for landing with the air brakes deployed when he observed another glider on the runway. He raised the nose of his glider to clear the other glider, but did not retract the air brakes, which resulted in a hard landing. The pilot sustained serious injuries. Postaccident examination by an FAA inspector revealed minor damage to the glider's tail skid, and no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1002Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1002Z), registered now, S/N 984, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHLEICHER ALEXANDER K 7
- Registry model: [Schleicher Alexander K 7](https://openairdocs.org/model/schleicher-alexander-k-7) (registry code 3801551) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 984
- Year built: 1961
- Airframe hours: 3212
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Chilhowee Soaring Association, Inc
- Registered owner: Fleming Rachel D
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2013
- Departed: 92A, Benton, TN
- Destination: 92A, Benton, TN
- Airport: 92A, Chilhowee Gliderport, runway 21, 2,600 × 200 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; injuries: serious; private; seat: front; restraint: 4-point

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observed at: KCHA, 32 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20140427009459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140427009459A), Apr 27, 2014: Schleicher Alexander K 7, Benton, TN, No damage. On final approach, airman noticed another glider on runway. Airman raised nose to clear aircraft but failed to lower air brakes. Airspeed decayed and glider…

## Other investigations on N1002Z (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CHI81FEK27](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI81FEK27-202519), Sep 24, 1980: Schleicher K7 (N1002Z), Montpelier, OH, substantial damage

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 30, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89146. 5.6 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40416996&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Pilot's Statement to FAA (item 2, .PDF, 187 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40416997&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement%20to%20FAA-Redacted.PDF
- Photo 1 - Empennage of Glider (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40416998&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Empennage%20of%20Glider%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2 - Damage to Tail Skid (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40416999&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Damage%20to%20Tail%20Skid%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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